Russia 1803-SP AI 1/4 ruble
The first specimen was lot 1546 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $1,560. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. Polupoltinnik (1/4 Ruble), 1803-CNB AN. St. Petersburg Mint. Alexander I. PCGS AU-50. A very handsome piece, this example has attractive steely gray surfaces and light wear across the devices. A few laminations present on the obverse which is a somewhat common problem on early Russian issues. Even still, this charming piece is a wholesome representative of the type." The second specimen was lot 407 in Sincona sale 78 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 425 CHF (about US$509 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted, "RUSSIA | Russian Empire and Federation | Alexander I. 1801-1825, Polupoltinnik 1803, Banking Mint, SPB AI. 2.5 roubles according to Petrov. 3 roubles according to Ilyin. Very fine." The SCWC records this product of the St. Petersburg mint (СПБ) for 1802-05, with mintmaster AI (AИ) for 1799-1803. The type is much scarcer than the contemporary rubles (Dav-279). The denomination was terminated in 1810, to be superseded by the twenty-five kopeks in 1827.
Recorded mintage: 152,000.
Specification: 4.14 g, 0.868 fine silver. The second specimen is 5.04 g.
Catalog reference: KM-C121; Bit-52.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Bitkin, Vladimir, Composite Catalogue of Russian Coins, Part II (1740-1917), Kiev: Moneta, 2003.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 NYINC Sale: World and Ancient Coins, featuring the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection and the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
- [2]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 78, Russian Coins and Medals, The Grigoriy Stakhorsky Collection, Part 1 and other Properties, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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